Issue 050

June 2009

At just 20 years old, Paul Sass is already a record-breaker. The Liverpool-based lightweight has won all seven of his professional fights by way of triangle submission, a record which, at time of writing, is unequalled worldwide.  

Having won all of his amateur and semi-pro bouts with the same technique, it is clear that Sass is a unique talent, which is unsurprising when you consider he earned a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in just two and a half years. But there is no trace of arrogance or cockiness in him when he discusses this remarkable run of victories.  

“I don’t expect a triangle every time, it just turns out like that,” he laughs. “If I end up on my back, I’m happy that I can pull off a triangle or an armbar. But you have to take every fight as it comes. I would like to show off my stand-up at some point.”  

Nonetheless the triangle is what he is famous for, and it is already earning him a nickname or two. ‘Bermuda’ is one that is often used on forums, ‘Toblerone’ is another (after the triangular Swiss chocolate). Sass erupts into laughter when he hears this. ‘Toblerone’ is one he hasn’t come across yet. “I like that,” he says. “That’s funny. They would be a cool sponsor as well.”  

A quiet lad by nature, he is not one for blowing his own trumpet. His coaches are more than happy to do that for him. Paul Rimmer and UFC veteran Jason Tan handle both his day-to-day training and his matchmaking. Aware of the talent Sass possesses, they recently began putting out the feelers for international-level fights.  

Feedback has been promising. “The UFC and WEC know who he is; they know he is a talent,” says Rimmer. A ‘major’ Japanese promotion has also reportedly taken an interest. “The Japanese promotions like fighters they can build a story around,” he explains. “They are quite taken with Sass’s record-breaking antics.”  

With a big stage almost certainly in his future, Sass works hard on being well rounded. He trains Muay Thai with Peter Davies, a former British champion who fought under Master Sken, and recently spent time in New Mexico training under renowned coach Greg Jackson and alongside UFC light-heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans.  

“I think I could cope with the step up if it happened right now,” Sass muses. “But if it doesn’t happen for a while, that’s alright. It just gives me more time to keep working. Whenever the call comes, I’ll be ready.” As he doesn’t turn 21 until August (which scuppered his application for The Ultimate Fighter 9) it may be summer before he hears anything from the big players.  

In the meantime, he will fight for the Cage Gladiators lightweight title (currently held by Rob Sinclair). “He’s a ground and pound guy,” is Sass’s assessment. “But I think I’ve faced guys with better ground and pound than his.” And to ground ‘n pound him, Sinclair will first have to put him on his back. Is there another triangle in the offing? Sass laughs. “Who knows? We’ll have to wait and see.”  

Paul Sass spoke with John Joe O’Regan.